Ashby wins appeal in Slipper case

PETER Slipper's former staffer James Ashby has won his appeal against a Federal Court decision to throw out his sexual harassment case against the former parliamentary speaker granted.

Federal Court judge, Justice Steven Rares, had dismissed Mr Ashby's case against Mr Slipper as an abuse of process in December 2012.

The full bench of the Federal Court upheld Mr Ashby's appeal on Thursday.

Outside court, Mr Ashby said he had a cry over the decision.

"I'm extremely pleased that the full court has decided to reject and overturn Justice Rares' decision in my case," he said.

"I say this with so much thrill.

"I've always believed the original court decision was wrong. It was unjust and not based on all the facts."

"We will now continue with the legal fight and my chance to obtain justice.

"As you can imagine this has been a long and torturous journey, but I am determined not to give up until my claim has been vindicated."

Asked if his claim was ever politically motivated? Ashby replied: "No, never at all."

"It was about working for the community. That's all I ever wanted to do with that job."

"It's important that legal firms support whistleblowers and James Ashby is a whistleblower who has, against the full force of the former federal government, pursued his legal rights at great personal risk," he said.

"We will be pursuing Peter Slipper for full costs and everything else that flows from this decision.

"James has never had a proper hearing on the merits of his case, and he will now get that hearing. And that's what we've been after for a long time."